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Original poster

Life after Primary School

14 replies

Jennypog · 21/04/2006 13:25

I am finding myself in the position pretty soon of having both children at secondary school and I am feeling quite sad about it, if I am honest.

Am I the only crazy person to feel this? Or does every mum go through this phase. I spoke to my own mum about it, and she couldn't even remember us being at primary, or how she felt. I think I will cry at the leavers' service and make a fool of myself.

OP posts:

FrumpyGrumpy · 21/04/2006 13:33

NOOOOO not crazy! I have one child at school in primary one and I'm still not feeling right about THAT. (I'm dreading the others going.) I know I'm going to feel the same as you when the time comes.

I fill up for all sorts of reasons and I used to feel like an idiot, now I just think its the person I am and I'm comfortable with it. You cry if you need to and be proud, its just your love for them and thats a great thing.

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 21/04/2006 13:53

Mine are all at secondary now or further on than that. You won't be alone in cryin at the leavers service - the staff are often in tears too.

Also I was quite sad because I'd made a lot of mum friends during the 12 years I'd been taking the children there. We've made a real effort to stay in touch, going out for the evening once a month or so, as you barely see other parents at secondary.

tamum · 21/04/2006 13:57

Ds leaves primary in June. They do this thing of all the leavers parading past all the rest of the school, who are lining the corridors clapping and cheering. As they come out of the building there is a) a bell tolling and b) a piper. I cry most years even when it's not my children, heaven knows what I'm going to be like this year!

Blandmum · 21/04/2006 14:01

I cry when kids leace out secondary. Sometimes tears of sadness, sometimes of joy

No, seriously I'm going to by crying for the first team at the end of this year 11, they are such great kids.

swedishmum · 21/04/2006 14:56

I cried last year and dd didn't even like primary! Much happier at grammar school. I always take tissues, sunglasses, and dig my nails into my palms to try to stop myself blubbing. I also cried on the first day when I dropped her off at secondary school - such a big place and she was the only one from her little village primary.

Original poster

Jennypog · 21/04/2006 18:44

My dd will be glad to leave, but I just feel that it is part of my life over and on to another chapter. I have enjoyed the primary school bit and will miss waiting in the playground after school. I will miss chatting to other mums too - it has been a really good time.

OP posts:

beemail · 22/04/2006 18:04

yes i can understand these sentiments Jennypog. i have one at sec and one to go next yr. There have been very few days when I haven't dropped and collected during that time and it becomes a big part of your life. I work and my life is pretty full so won't be sitting around moping but I'm sure I'll miss it. I've made some great friends and with those who left when my older child left we have found ways of staying in touch - reg drinks and meals and a few of us have formed a reading gp which has got off to a great start and proves we can talk about things other than our children and their education......and PTA stuff!!
I'm sure I'll always look back with great affection on those primary years and can already see that sec is so different with so little contact with other families.

RTKangaMummy · 22/04/2006 18:09

DS is leaving too this summer and yes I will be in tears too

We are organiseing a party for them that evening so they can all meet up again

They all sign each others shirt and so it is like an autograph book

They are all off to different schools too

Questionairhead · 22/04/2006 19:59

tamum what a rite of passage! I'd cry too; but a good way of marking off end/beginning for the y6s !

Come Sept., my tiny is going to morning playgroup, having been ft at home with me, my dd(7) is going to a new school, and my eldest ds, now 12, is moving to a senior school from his cosy local prep. Big changes ! Only ds2 is staying put. I'll really miss, in particular, the parents of dd's friends (though will stay in touch with some of the best buddies as we're all local).

fiveaday · 23/04/2006 16:35

When my eldest had her leaver's assembly I was in floods of tears, my daughter was also crying and she was on the school hall stage trying to sing! My youngest daughter was sitting on the floor with her class mates- also crying! The head teacher just stood up and said "what a family!"
Once she was in secondary education my daughter changed and grew up within weeks, so it is indeed the end of an era.
I do not know how I will get through the leavers assembly when my 8 year old leaves in a few years time.....hopefully the head teacher will have tissues at the ready.

hovely · 23/04/2006 18:37

I found my eyes welling up at your post tamum, what kind of mess would I be in if my kids were involved?

Milliways · 24/04/2006 16:34

At our Primary the Yrs 3-5 all form an Arch (with raised Arms) for the Yr 6's to make their final exit through at end of last day. It can be funny watching the Yr 6's bending through the Yr 3's

All the parents are waiting & clapping (& crying).

Leavers assembly is the day before when they can all perform an act/dance/whatever. That can be hilarious too.

I will be sad - but can't wait for DS to join secondary. He is ready & no more waiting in the playground!

Original poster

Jennypog · 24/04/2006 17:54

Milliways

That sounds really lovely. I haven't been to a leavers' assembly since my older daughter left and it didn't bother me too much because I still had the younger one at primary, so I didn't cry. This time is different though - I have to wait until I am a grandma before I can go into primary school again. I know I am a loony, but I can't help thinking this way.

I am trying to enjoy picking my daughter up from school every day at the moment. I have started to stand in the playground again, after years of sitting in the car! I am sure it will be okay once she has started secondary school - I won't have to rush home from work to pick her up, etc. However, being able to stay longer at work doesn't really strike me as being an advantage . . .

OP posts:

tigermoth · 27/04/2006 22:48

Coming to this late, but I do feel for you jennypog! I've lost all that contact with other parents in my sons class now he's at secondary school. I used to know all the year 6 class by name. I have got a younger son at the primary so have that connection still, but I know it won't last forever.

Funnily enough I have now become better friends with the old year 6 parents - we see each other locally or at church or when we drop off younger siblings at the primary, and there is a deeper bond as school now longer throws us together.

Also, my son still prefers to see his old primary school friends at weekends so that keeps the contact going stong. And some parents have made efforts to have reunions at their homes as well.

So all may not be lost :)

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